Fire-escape



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l. R. G. STROTHER.

FIRE ESCAPE.

' No. 443,552. Patented Dec. 30, 1890.

(No Model.) 2 sheets -Sh'eet 2..

R. G. STROTHER. FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 443,552. Patented Dec. 30, 1890.

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ROLLAND G. STROTHER, OF FINDLAY, OHIO.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 443,552, dated'December 30, 1890.

Application filed March 22, 1890. Serial No. 344,944- (No model.)

' constructed as to have platforms inclosed in a fire and burglar proof shaft and working therein automatically, and so arranged that when the passenger reaches the bottom of the shaft the platform inclines downward, enabling him to step easily and safely to the ground.

The invention also consists of certain adjunctive and specific details of construction,

which assist in carrying out said object, and in auxiliaries tending to perfect the completed structure, all as hereinafter more fully described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a central vertical section of this improved fire-escape complete. Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the so-called platforms and a section of the ladder. Fig. 4: is a plan view of my preferred form of governor device for controlling the speed of descent. Fig. 5 is a front view of the lower end of the well. Fig. 6 is an end view of the delivery device I sometimes use.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the letter S designates a vertical shaft or well. At the side of said shaft are doors D, so placed as to allow passengers to enter from the building, which doors close automatically by springs G, as soon as the passenger is inside the shaft. These means of ingress are so placed as to be available for each story of the building, and passengers may enter simultaneously from each story. Said doors always remain closed, except when held open by the passenger for the purpose of entering, thus enabling him to pass-any number of stories from the windows of which smoke and flame are bursting in volumes with perfect safety.

0 is an endless wire-cable ladder passing around rollers T and B at top and bottom, respectively, the ascending and descending sides of the ladder being separated by a partition P. Platforms F are secured to said endless ladder at such distances apart as will conform to the height of the stories of the building on which the escape is placed, and are hinged to the ladder at one side, as at f, and upheld at the opposite side by chains I-I, dependent from the ladder. The passenger, being protected in his descent by a fire-proof shaft, which allows him to stand erect without the possibility of falling oif, is much safer than when compelled to climb down an iron ladder or perpendicular steps or when dangling in the air suspended by a frail inflammable cord or any of the so called fire-escapes in use. Connected with the upper roller T, around which said ladder passes, is a governor V, regulating the speed of the descent. This governor consists, preferably, of a system of fans geared together and inclosed in a box of suitable size, equal numbers of which run in opposite directions, said fans being either screw or plain, but in either case so arranged as to revolve oppositely to each other for the purpose of gaining double resistance. This governor is connected with said upper roller by positive gearing, all as shown in Fig. 4. If, however, a ball-governor, pendulum, compressed air, friction balance-wheel or watermotor, or a combination of any two or more of said powers is equally safe,durable, and cheap, I reserve the right to adopt that which wil give the best practical result.

A gong J is placed in the upper part of the shaft, so as to be sounded by each platform in passing. This will enable a watchman, policeman, or any citizen to alarm the inmates of the building from the outside by pulling down on the endless ladder, and while arousing them also notifies them as to the location. of the fire-escape, and also calls attention and directs assistance from the out-side.

From the above description the operation of this improved fire-escape is thought to be obvious. A fire having started and the inmates of the house or building having been aroused by the watchman, as above described, the imprisoned persons may pass through the doors D onto one of the platforms F; or, if there be no platform directly opposite the door, the ladder may be drawn down until one does come opposite. The weight of the person will then bear that side of the ladder down slowly if there be but one person escaping, more rapidly if there be more, and as he reaches the ground he is permitted to pass out the lower end of the shaft S to a position of safety. The ascending side of the ladder meanwhile carries up the other platforms F, which fold automatically, as shown in Fig. 1, and pass up along the other side of the partition P. This folding of the ascending platforms precludes the possibility of access to the building of any unauthorized persons, as will be understood.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a device I sometimes use in connection with this escape for assisting the safe landing on the ground of persons who may become wholly or partially insensible while descending on the ladder. 1 is a sprocket-wheel on the end of the lower roller, and 2 is a chain connectingit with another sproeket-wheel on a roller 8. From the latter an apron 1- leads to and around a roller 5, located a suitable distance from the lower end of the shaft, and both rollers 3 and 5 are supported in standards 6. The turning of the lower ladder-roller drives the apron in the direction of the arrow, and it thereby carries an insensible person from the shaft and out of danger from above. A sufficient space is left between the lower roller B and the roller 3 to allow the passage of the platforms, as shown in dotted lines.

The capacity of this escape is ordinarily about twenty people per minute, but can safely accommodate twice that number in case of dire necessity. It may also be arranged to be so connected with water-works by pipes I as to flow a steady stream of water around the entire outside of the shaft S, thus keeping it cool, the water-valve being opened by the first motion of the machinery. In case of new buildings said shaft may be constructed of the same material and in connection with the building, and in any case there may be as many alarm-gongs operated by the escape and in such positions as may best serve to alarm the inmates 0 as the owner of the build ing may see fit, and may be either in the shaft or in the building itself. The entire shaft and all machinery and platforms composing the fire-escape are of course constructed of noncombustible material.

I reserve the right to use such dimensions of all parts of this fire'escape as practical use will demonstrate advisable, the size of the shaft being always sufficient to accommodate any person standing erect who may desire to use the escape.

I claim as the salient points of this invention- 1. In a lire-escape, the combination, with an endless ladder running over top and bottom rollers, hinged platforms connected thereto, and governor devices, substantially as described, for limiting the speed with which said platforms descend, of gongs and trip-levers located at suitable points, the latter being struck by said platforms in their descent, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a lire-escape, the combination, with a shaft or well, admission-doors thereto, and a ladder therein, of cold-water pipes surrounding said well, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a fire-escape, the combination, with an endless ladder running over top and bottom rollers and a governor device therefor, of a horizontal endless apron around rollers leading from the lower end of the ladder and a band connecting the lower ladder-roller with one of the apron-rollers, as and for the purpose set forth.

at. The herein described fireescape, the same comprising an inelosed shaft or well, admission-doors thereto, springs for keeping said doors normally closed, an endlessladder within said well running around rollers at top and bottom, governor devices, substantially as described, for limiting the speed with which the front side of said ladder descends under the weight of the person escaping, and a horizontal endless apron leading from the lower end of the ladder, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HOLLAND (l. S'lRO'lllElt.

Witnesses:

Tr-ronas C. DUNN, N. T.. MclAoHn-w. 

